Corcovado National Park

Highlights and main attractions of the Osa Peninsula

Described by National Geographic Magazine as ‘one of the most biologically intense places on earth’ due to its unique and remote areas in the more inaccessible southwest of the country. The Osa Peninsula contains the Corcovado National Park and has massive appeal for those looking for an off-the-beaten-track experience away from some of the more popular tourist areas of Costa Rica. The region enjoys vast biodiversity and is a natural wonderland, with much of its parkland protected since 1975 as national park, and it is even possible – however elusive they may be - to sight puma and jaguar.

Puerto Jiminez and Drake Bay are the two main towns from which you can access the peninsula, both of which offer good connections to San Jose.

The landscapes of the Osa Peninsula are a varied and untamed blend of beaches, mangroves, winding rivers and thick rainforest, all ideal for exploration.

Where is Corcovado National Park?

Wildlife and marine exploration

Corcovado National Park holds the largest expanse of lowland tropical rainforest in Central America at 41,000 hectares and is also one of the world’s tallest rainforests. Fer-de-Lance, the country’s most venomous snake, is found here, so our experienced naturalist guides will take you through established hiking trails – safety as a priority. Some of the wildlife you may encounter include margays, ocelots, tapirs, sloths and crocodiles, and the endangered squirrel monkey, spider monkey, howler monkey and white-faced monkey can all see be seen here. Poison arrow frogs are amongst the 116 amphibian and reptile species, and of the 400 bird species, 20 are endemic.

Those who enjoy snorkelling and scuba-diving adventures into the marine world, Isla del Caño has pristine coral reefs that are concentrated with technicolour tropical fish as well as manta rays, turtles and sharks. Fishing tours of the mangroves can also be arranged from your lodge.

Explore wild jungle in search of sloths and monkeys, before heading to the stunning coral reefs for some marine exploration.

Some of the most remote wilderness lodges of the country are found here, like Casa Corcovado Lodge, which is set in the heart of the jungle and is the closest lodge to the Corcovado National Park. Lapa Rios is an award-winning lodge whose location perfectly marries the jungle and beach in thatched bungalows set in a 1,000-acre private nature reserve.